Niagara U ‘opted in’ to state’s Enhanced tuition program

Niagara University is among three other local Roman Catholic colleges that 'opted' into the state's new financial aid program. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says Niagara is part of just one-third of private colleges who signed up for the Enhanced Tuition Award program.

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WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talks with the leader of Niagara University about why the school opted in for the state's tuition program.

"While it wasn't a perfect solution, we thought it was an opportunity once we studied it to say let's work with the current system and align it with our values on access and affordability,” said Father James Maher, president of Niagara University.

Niagara University camps.

Credit WBFO News file photo by Eileen Buckley

Like other private colleges, Niagara is generous in providing financial to its students. Last year 98 percent of eligible Niagara students received more than $44 million in financial aid.

Father Maher told WBFO News by joining the tuition program, as part of the state’s Excelsior Scholarship program, it could open up future dialog with the state.

"And the work with the legislature, the executive branch, other partners as well and say how we can make this more effective to serve students and families, so we looked at it and studied it pretty significantly,” explained Maher.

The Enhanced Awards program provides up to $6,000 for students at the private colleges. In Western New York, Niagara joins Canisius College, Hilbert College and Trocaire College in ‘opting in’ to the Enhanced Tuition Awards program.

Maher was a bit critical for the state’s lack of public conversation surrounding the program with the private schools.

Father James Maher, president of Niagara University.

Credit WBFO News file photo by Eileen Buckley

“One of the weaknesses – I think of what was put forward, there wasn’t, in my view, sufficient engagement and dialog with the public and the independent and private sector on higher education, so when policy moves forward in that way – it usually limps – because you haven’t really engaged the stakeholders in a full and sufficient way and so I think there’s an opportunity now to say let’s learn from some of those mistakes,” remarked Maher.

Maher said it has been challenging to get the awards program in place for the upcoming fall semester. Niagara has established a hotline for families to answer questions. More than three dozen calls on the tuition were fielded at Niagara.

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What does the state's free SUNY tuition plan mean for private schools? WBFO Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley sat down with Daemen College President Dr. Gary Olson and D'Youville College President Dr. Lorrie Clemo to discuss how they're dealing with the tuition plan—and why they opted out of the state's new Enhanced Tuition Awards.

New York State is now accepting applications for its free tuition program. The Excelsior Scholarship application period opened Wednesday or all of the state's two and four year SUNY/CUNY colleges and universities. In the few hours after the application process opened, more than 3,200 applications were received by the state.

Two private colleges in Buffalo are reacting to the new tuition-free Excelsior Scholarships for all SUNY/CUNY colleges and universities. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked with the leaders of D'Youville and Medaille.

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WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked with the leaders of D'Youville College and Medaille College about the state tuition plan.